TEMPLE DEMOLISHING : PRESS STATEMENT BY MIC

(MY EXPRESSION :MIC's WALK : TEMPLE DEMOLISHING ISSUE)

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 – MIC President Dato' Seri S.Samy Vellu today condemned the action by a local council in Selangor to demolish a Hindu temple in Ampang early this month, saying it went against the opposition's promise during the last general election not to demolish any temples.

He said Selangor state government controlled by the Parti Keadilan led opposition, should have ordered the local council which he did not name, not to demolish the temple.

"It is very careless of the local council to demolish the temple without first relocating the temple," he said in a statement here.

Dato' Seri Samy Vellu was commenting on a newspaper report today that the demolition of the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple in Kampung Tasik, Jalan Baru in Ampang took place on Sept 9 this year.

The report stated that after being informed of the demolition of the temple yesterday, Selangor MIC Youth chief M.Yogeswaran immediately lodged a report at the Ampang police station.

Dato' Seri Samy Vellu said the local council should have consulted or sought permission from the temple management and secure an alternative land to relocate the temple.

"The demolition of the temple in Padang Jawa (Selangor) just before the 2008 general election in March 8 had angered many Hindus, and this was one of the reason the Indian voters voted against the Barisan Nasional.

"But today, you see the same situation happening in a state government that is controlled by the opposition," he said.

He said Selangor local councilors and executive council (Exco) members should concentrate on matters that were important, "rather then seeking cheap publicity by exposing what they claim as irregularities in the previous state government".

Dato' Seri Samy Vellu wanted the Selangor state government to explain to the people, especially the Hindus as to how they allowed the local council to demolish the temple.

"A full explanation must be given immediately and bring the culprits to justice,' he added.

LINK :- http://pemudamic. org/index. php?ind=news&op=news_show_ single&ide=28

(MY EXPRESSION :MIC's WALK : TEMPLE DEMOLISHING ISSUE)

MIC's success with weak students

KUALA LUMPUR: An MIC effort to help academically-weak and problematic Indian secondary students has paid off.

The MIC-run Yayasan Strategic Social's family development unit head K.A. Gunah (picture) said the party's Plus-8 programme had proven to be a resounding success by helping 5,100 students in 74 secondary schools.

He said thanks to the year-long programme which ended in July, these students had a better future now and did not need to go the way of some other children from the community who could not escape the clutches of social ills such as crime.


He said the key to the programme's success was in its ability to bring children and parents together to work as a family unit and motivate the children to improve themselves.


"Besides ironing out students' problems, which were mainly centred around poor parent-child relationships, the programme has put in place an effective network for the students, their teachers and YSS."


Funded by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and supported by the Education Ministry, the programme featured workshops on character building, human values and uncovering of skills for students.


"We then hold two workshops for parents on the subject of parent-child interaction and relationships and the need for self-discipline and sacrifice. The programme ends with a two-day, one-night camp for the students and their parents.


"We are now keying in the student data and feedback on the programme to prepare a report for the two ministries. With this done, we hope to launch the second round of Plus-8 programmes."


Gunah, who is the coordinator for the programme in Johor and Malacca, said YSS ran them jointly with Indian-based NGOs.

YSS got the help of teachers to identify target groups of 50 students in schools in eight states to attend a total of 812 Plus-8 programmes.


He said the programme was the brainchild of party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who felt that rising social ills among Indian youth had to be nipped in the bud by solving the problem of delinquency.


During the programme, Gunah said he came across sad cases of how students had got into trouble because of parental neglect.


"A boy who had been punished 22 times in 10 months for disciplinary problems, including bringing pornographic VCDs to school, told us his father had left the family.


"His mother was away at work until late at night and he had to fend for himself, including cooking and washing his own clothes."


He said the girls were often led astray by youths or men outside the school environment.


"Most of them point to nagging mothers and absent fathers and the fact that there was no one to listen to them."

MIC: Free Hindraf five

PETALING JAYA: The MIC has reiterated its call for the Government to free five Hindraf leaders from Internal Security Act (ISA) detention.

Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said that he would raise the matter with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi again, despite having done so many times.

“It is about time they were released as they pose no danger to the security of the country,” he said in a statement.

Samy Vellu also said the Government should not detain the leaders any longer as this would only prolong the Indian community’s ill-feelings towards the Government.

Indian folk back to seek help, says Samy

POH: Many Indian voters in the country who abandoned the MIC during the March 8 general election are now turning back to the party, claims party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

He said “hundreds of people” had started thronging the party’s offices everyday, knowing that only the MIC could help them.

“In the last elections, about 50% of the Indian community rejected the MIC and supported the Opposition.

“But many want to return now,” he told reporters at a hotel here yesterday after opening a workshop on re-branding the party.

The Indian community, Samy Vellu said, has realised that it needed to have a close relationship with the Federal Government through the MIC in order to improve its livelihood.

“They admit to having been confused and in disarray, that they were influenced into voting for the Opposition but I tell them that it does not matter.

“When asked why they had come back looking for us, their answer was that the MIC has an administration, offices and an experienced leadership, and has continued looking after the people despite having lost in the elections.

“This is the reason why they are still interested in forging a relationship with the MIC,” he said.

Samy Vellu said response to the re-branding workshops nationwide was also encouraging, and urged grassroots leaders to discard their old mindset and “go back to thinking the people are our bosses”.

He admitted that the MIC had erred in not using the Internet and electronic media to reach out to the Indian community during the elections.

He also announced that the party would launch its own Internet portal in October.

MIC says its MPs not interested in joining Pakatan

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan has denied a media report that MPs from the party would be joining Pakatan Rakyat.

“Switching camps has never crossed the minds of any of our MPs. We will not cross over to the Opposition. We are staying put and will stay put with the Barisan Nasional. “I have spoken to the other two MPs and they have denied that the thought had even crossed their minds,” he said.

Besides Saravanan, the Tapah MP who is the Deputy Federal Territories Minister, the MIC’s other two MPs are Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (Segamat) and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department S.K. Devamany (Cameron Highlands).

Saravanan urged Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to stop changing deadlines in his bid to purportedly form the new Federal Government.

Labis MP Chua Tee Yong of the MCA has also quashed rumours of him defecting to Parti Keadilan Rakyat, saying those behind the rumours were aiming to create confusion and doubt among the people.

“I will not hesitate to take legal action or other appropriate action against anyone spreading such rumours,” he said, adding that he would remain a Barisan elected representative. - Bernama

Wujudkan Majlis Hubungan Antara Kaum - MIC

KUALA LUMPUR 18 Sept. - MIC mencadangkan kerajaan menubuhkan sebuah Majlis Hubungan Antara Kaum untuk membincangkan isu-isu berkaitan agama, bahasa, budaya dan sensitiviti perkauman.

Presidennya, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu berkata, penubuhan majlis itu penting bagi membantu kerajaan mengukuhkan lagi perpaduan kaum yang terjejas selepas pilihan raya umum Mac lalu.

''Orang ramai berasa bimbang dengan situasi sekarang yang mana pelbagai isu sensitiviti kaum telah dibangkitkan oleh pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

''Jadi, biarlah kita kembali kepada perjuangan asal dengan mengekalkan perpaduan, demi kebaikan rakyat dan negara,'' katanya pada Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Kerja Pusat MIC di sini hari ini.

Dicadangkan

Katanya, majlis tersebut dijangka dapat diwujudkan selepas Akta Hubungan Antara Kaum yang dicadangkan dapat direalisasikan.

''Anggotanya harus terdiri daripada pelbagai parti politik, persatuan agama serta kebudayaan bagi membina semula perpaduan kaum,'' ujarnya.

Sementara itu tambahnya, MIC meminta kerajaan memastikan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) digunakan secara berhati-hati dan pembangkang pula harus menghentikan semua tindakan yang boleh menggugat keamanan negara.

Dalam pada itu, MIC menggesa pihak berkuasa mengambil tindakan segera menahan sesiapa sahaja yang mengungkit isu kaum serta agama yang menimbulkan perbalahan.

Dalam mesyuarat itu, MIC turut mengambil kesempatan mengucapkan tahniah kepada Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak atas pelantikan beliau sebagai Menteri Kewangan berkuat kuasa semalam.

Sambil mengulangi sokongan terhadap Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan timbalannya, Najib, Samy menyatakan MIC juga akan kekal setia kepada Barisan Nasional (BN) dan terus membantu BN mendapatkan semula sokongan rakyat melalui pembaharuan yang dilakukan.

''MIC menyokong segala tindakan yang dilakukan oleh kerajaan bagi memastikan kestabilan politik dan ekonomi terus kukuh," tegasnya.

Trial of Hindraf 66 postponed to next year

The trial of the 66 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters charged for illegal assembly and causing mischief was postponed to next year by the Sessions Court here on Monday.

Judge M. Gunalan fixed March 24 to 27, May 11 to 15 and July 6 to 10 as trial dates.

Padang Serai MP N. Gobalakrishnan was among the 66 accused, aged between 20 and 56.

Five out of the 66 men failed to turn up in court on Monday, and this prompted Gunalan to warn that warrants of arrest would be issued if they failed to attend their hearing next year.

He also ordered the five men to give the court valid reasons for their absence.

The five were E. Segaran, S. Gunaseelan, J. Prakash, S. Ravi and R. Vijayndran.

Businessman K.P Samy, who had posted bail for all the accused, was asked to explain why the five were absent.

Samy, who posted bail by pledging the title of his land worth RM410, 000 to the court, said he was not able to contact some of those who were not present.

Defence counsels G. Naidu and G.K Ganesan also appealed for Gobalakrishnan’s passport, being held by the court, to be handed back to him.

Ganesan said many things had changed since the arrests last year and Gobalakrishnan was now an elected representative and needed his passport.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail objected to the request and suggested that Gobalakrishnan apply to obtain the passport temporarily whenever he wanted to leave the country.

However, Gunalan, who said that this arrangement would be too inconvenient, ordered for Gobalakrishnan’s passport to be returned to him for the duration of his tenure as an elected representative.

Initially 69 people, including five students, were charged for participation in an illegal assembly at Batu Caves on Nov 25 and for causing mischief by damaging seven vehicles at the Sri Subramaniam Temple premises there between 1am and 8am on the same day.

The prosecution withdrew the charge of causing mischief against the students but maintained the charge of participating in an illegal assembly against two of them.

The other 64 people face both charges.

Putera MIC ro recruit 5,000 Indian youths

MALACCA: Putera MIC is looking to add 50 new divisions and recruit about 5,000 Indian youths aged 18 to 30 by the middle of next year.

Chief P. Kamalanathan said: "We target to open 50 new Putera MIC divisions in the next 10 months. The response has been overwhelming, especially from Selangor and Johor."Most of our members are graduates, and this will help the movement become a strong and reputable force for the MIC." The Alor Gajah Putera MIC division was the 10th division to be opened since Putera MIC was formed in 2006, he said.

"Most of the members comprise Universiti Teknikal Malaysia and Universiti Multimedia graduates," he added.
State Putera MIC chief Rama Sockalingam said they expected to open more divisions in Malacca, particularly in Tangga Batu and Bukit Katil."We are also looking at opening new divisions in Jasin, Masjid Tanah and Kota Melaka. But we will only do this after we find suitable leaders to head the divisions."

Meanwhile, on the Manya Blogger Awards 2008 initiated by Putera MIC to recognise Indian bloggers, he said the "People's Choice Blogger Award" was open to all races.He said the award was aimed at creating awareness among the Indian community of blogging.

400 Indian Youths Joining MIC in Sepang

Source : The Star

PETALING JAYA: The MIC’s rebranding exercise has encouraged more Indians to join the party, with more than 400 youths joining the Sepang division in Selangor, division chief Datuk C. Krishnan said.
He said the division, the first in Selangor to recruit members in large numbers, hoped to attract more new members in the future.
“They (the new members) are confident that the MIC will be able to represent their needs,” he told reporters here yesterday.
MIC vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan and Youth coordinator T. Mohan were also present.
Krishnan said the move by the party headquarters to separate the Youth wing from the MIC branches had generated keen interest from youths to join the party.
He was confident that more Indian women would join the MIC following a proposal by party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to detach the Wanita movement from all MIC branches so that they could function as a separate entity.
The MIC now has more than 630,000 members with 3,700 branches throughout the country. Samy Vellu is also on a mission to regain the trust of the Indian community. Mohan said the wing had already submitted a list to the headquarters to form 287 branches.
“We hope to form about 750 branches by year’s end,” he said.

MIC increases ranks after re-branding

Since embarking on a re-branding exercise, the MIC - which suffered heavy losses in the Mar 8 general election - has succeeded in reviving 50 inactive branches and recruiting 8,000 new members.

Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu estimated that in another two months, more than 200 new branches will be opened around the country.

“Since the re-branding, various changes and renewals had been made in the party’s machinery management. We have changed the MIC’s political culture so that the party machinery is more effective and dynamic,” he said.

The former Works Minister said this after launching the Johor state-level re-branding workshop here today.

Also present were party secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who is also Human Resources Minister, and senior party leaders.
Samy Vellu said efforts were also being made to register new members online with the party headquarters in a bid to increase membership.

He hoped the MIC Youth and Wanita MIC in each state would recruit 25,000 and 10,000 new members respectively.

Presently, he said, there are 630,000 party members in 3,300 branches throughout the country.

Samy Vellu said after the re-branding exercise was over, the party will unveil a “MIC Roadmap” to enhance the committment of branch chairmen as well as to enhance their political awareness in regard to the Indian community.

Gerakan calls for ISA to be amended or abolished

MY EXPRESSION :ISA : WE NEED or/and DON'T NEED........

Gerakan acting present Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has called on the government to either amend or abolish the Internal Security Act.

He said the existence of the act painted a very negative perception of the country to the outside world, adding that it was also irrelevant considering the country had a sound judicial system in place.

“It is time this act be seriously looked at. Gerakan strongly urges the government to abolish the ISA once and for all.

“There is no reason why anyone should be subject to the provisions of this act which simply means detention without trial when the authorities can use the judicial system instead,” he said after opening the state Gerakan convention here.

Koh said the judicial system was far more transparent in terms of the legal and social aspects as compared to the ISA.
“When you detain someone under the ISA, it gives room for people to draw all kinds of conclusions and provides plenty of room for manipulation.

“Gerakan, for one, is against taking action against the Press as this is clearly against the freedom of expression which is provided for under the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Referring to former Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail, Koh said it was ironic that the “man who burnt down the house was still free, while the person who cried fire” had been detained.

(Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was detained under the ISA on Friday over her report about Ahmad’s alleged racist remarks during a ceramah in the run-up to the Permatang Pauh by-election.)

“The minute we heard about the reporter's detention, I personally called the prime minister and his deputy to express Gerakan's disappointment. It is not only Gerakan which is upset, but also many senior ministers and ex-ministers also,” said Koh.

He said Gerakan was also against the detention of Seputeh member of Parliamet Teresa Kok and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

“If they have done anything wrong, use the legal system to seek justice. Give the alleged wrongdoers a proper trial and if they are found guilty, then punish them accordingly.

“In this modern age and time, it is totally unacceptable to detain anyone without trial,” he said.

MY EXPRESSION :ISA : WE NEED or/and DON'T NEED........

TINDAKAN ISA WAJAR

MY EXPRESSION :ISA : WE NEED or/and DON'T NEED........

KUALA LUMPUR 13 Sept. - Tindakan polis menahan tiga individu di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) semalam dilakukan secara profesional tanpa campur tangan politik.

Malah tindakan itu dibuat setelah polis mempunyai cukup bukti bahawa jika langkah itu tidak diambil ia boleh mencetuskan ketegangan kaum dan mengancam keselamatan negara.

Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar bagaimanapun mengesahkan tidak ada lagi tangkapan susulan selepas ini.

Katanya, tangkapan tiga individu itu merupakan mesej jelas bahawa semua pihak termasuk ahli politik, organisasi atau individu tertakluk kepada undang-undang negara.

“Kita mempunyai bukti-bukti kukuh sekiranya polemik terbuka ini tidak ditangani, ia akan mengancam keselamatan negara.

“Oleh itu, ingin saya tekankan kita akan ambil tindakan terhadap sesiapa sahaja yang mencetuskan polemik perkauman dan mengancam keselamatan negara,” katanya pada sidang akhbar khas di Bukit Aman di sini petang ini.

Turut hadir Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

Semalam, tiga orang ditahan di bawah ISA dalam satu operasi polis ke atas beberapa individu yang terbabit mencetuskan isu perkauman dan persengketaan agama.

Mereka ialah Ahli Exco Kerajaan Negeri Selangor, Teresa Kok; pengendali laman web Malaysia Today, Raja Petra Kamarudin dan wartawan wanita Sin Chew Daily, Tan Hoon Cheng.

Mereka ditahan mengikut Seksyen 73 (1) akta berkenaan. Bagaimanapun Hoon Cheng dibebaskan di Pulau Pinang pada pukul 3.30 petang ini.

Mengikut peruntukan itu, mereka boleh ditahan sehingga 60 hari tanpa perbicaraan sebelum Menteri Dalam Negeri membuat keputusan sama ada penahanan itu perlu dilanjutkan.

Syed Hamid berkata, tindakan ISA itu diambil di bawah bidang kuasa polis mengikut keperluan siasatan yang dijalankan.

“Siasatan (dilakukan) tanpa merujuk kepada saya, tetapi saya dimaklumkan mengenai (penahanan) itu,” katanya sambil menafikan akan ada tangkapan susulan selepas ini.

Beliau turut membidas dakwaan pihak tertentu yang cuba mengaitkan tangkapan itu dengan tarikh rancangan pembentukan kerajaan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) pada 16 September.

“Tak ada kena mengena, apa yang menjadi keutamaan kita adalah menerima maklumat tentang kebimbangan rakyat mengenai ancaman keselamatan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, sebagai sebuah negara berbilang kaum, budaya dan agama, tindakan tegas seperti itu perlu supaya ketenteraman awam terpelihara.

Syed Hamid turut menegaskan pelbagai peluang, nasihat dan amaran telah diberikan terhadap Raja Petra tetapi penulis blog tersebut terus mencetuskan ketegangan dalam penulisannya.

Tambahnya, Teresa pula membangkitkan isu sensitif apabila mempersoalkan laungan azan di masjid-masjid di sebelah pagi yang juga menimbulkan kemarahan umat Islam.

“Oleh itu, pada saya adalah penting untuk semua pihak supaya tidak membangkitkan isu seperti agama yang akan sebabkan konflik terbuka,” ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau menafikan tiada tindakan diambil terhadap Datuk Ahmad Ismail kerana Ketua UMNO Bahagian Bukit Bendera itu telah menerima akibat digantung keahlian parti selama tiga tahun.

“Sebagai ahli parti dia (Ahmad) telah menerima hukuman tetapi polis masih teruskan siasatan kerana ada laporan hasutan terhadapnya,” ujar beliau.

Mengenai Hoon Cheng, beliau berkata, wartawan itu telah memberikan kerjasama baik dan oleh itu dibebaskan kira-kira pukul 3.30 petang ini, setelah polis mempunyai maklumat yang mencukupi.

“Dia (Hoon Cheng) yang membuat laporan dan sebabkan perdebatan terbuka dan oleh itu kita perlu dapatkan maklumat secara langsung daripadanya,” katanya.

Ditanya mengapa polis mengambil tindakan ISA terhadap Hoon Cheng dan bukan memanggilnya untuk diambil keterangan, katanya, ini kerana ia mempunyai kaitan dengan isu ketenteraman awam.

“Apa yang penting, dia dibebaskan tidak sampai sehari setelah polis berpuas hati dengan siasatan,” katanya.

Sementara itu, beliau berkata, dua lagi tahanan itu juga akan dibebaskan sekiranya polis berpuas hati terhadap siasatan yang dijalankan

MY EXPRESSION :ISA : WE NEED or/and DON'T NEED........

Transparency International: Try RPK and Teresa Kok under court of law, not ISA

MY EXPRESSION :ISA : WE NEED or/and DON'T NEED........

Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) today urged the government to immediately release prominent blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok who have been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

TI-M president Tan Sri Dr Ramon V. Navaratnam said the government should charge the individuals who allegedly violated laws in an open court, instead of flexing its muscles through the ISA as it would negate much of the country's progress.

He said the act had eroded efforts in promoting transparency, acountability and freedom of speech in the country.

"This retrograde action will be severely criticised by most fair-minded Malaysians and foreigners, and is a major blow to the more liberal policy of the country," he told Bernama here.

Besides Raja Petra and Kok, Sin Chew daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was also arrested yesterday for allegedly sparking racial tensions.
However, Tan was released at 2.30pm today.

MY EXPRESSION :ISA : WE NEED or/and DON'T NEED........

MALAYSIAKINI | ISA : 3 ARRESTED

MY EXPRESSION : ISA = A WEAK GOVERNMENT???

ISA dragnet widens: MP Teresa Kok too
Sept 12, 08 11:58pm

It is learnt that the Selangor senior executive councillor and Seputeh parliamentarian was stopped by the police at about 11.18pm on her way back from a function in Kuala Lumpur.

She was arrested after her vehicle was blocked by three police patrol cars.

Deputy inspector-general of police Ismail Omar said that Kok's arrest was made under Section 73(1) of the Act.

In Penang, chief minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the party would be holding an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the matter.

Earlier today, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng ( ISA arrest No 2: Sin Chew journalist held, read here) were also arrested under the Act. - Malaysiakini

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ISA arrest No 2: Sin Chew journalist held

Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng has been arrested today
under the Internal Security Act at 8.30pm at her home in Bukit
Mertajam, Penang.
Tan (left), 33, is the second person after Malaysia Today editor Raja
Petra Kamarudin, to be arrested under the tough security law which
allows for detention without trial.
She was taken by the police to the Penang police headquarters, where
a crowd of 100 supporters have gathered to express their concern.
Tan was the first journalist who reported that local Umno chieftain
Ahmad Ismail had allegedly said that Chinese Malaysians are
¡°squatters¡± in the country.

Deputy inspectorp-general of police Ismail Omar has confirmed her
arrest under ISA.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary Ng Wei Aik
was at the police headquarters to obtain more information on Tan’s
arrest.
“Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob has just confirmed the arrest of the
journalist under section 73(1) of ISA to the chief minister,” he told
reporters gathered at the Penang police headquarters at about 10.45pm.

Under section 73(1), the police can detain Tan for a maximum of 60
days for investigations. Based on the outcome of the probe, she can
be detained for two years without trial, and the two-year term can be
renewed indefinitely.

Gerakan secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye, who was among those who
visited the state police headquarters, slammed Tan’s arrest and
called on the police to complete their investigation as soon as
possible so that she could be released.

Tan was arrested by a team from federal police headquarters in Bukit
Aman, Kuala Lumpur.
Government ticked off for double standards
Meanwhile in an immediate reaction, MCA Youth legal bureau Gan Ping
Sieu also condemned the use of ISA against Tan.

“The journalist concerned should be called for questioning and not be
arrested,” he said.

He criticised the government for its double standards, adding that
the arrest was a setback for democracy.

He added that the MCA Youth legal bureau was prepared to set up a
team of lawyers to provide legal assistance to Tan.
Tan’s report on Ahmad late last month had sparked a nationwide
outcry, resulting in Ahmad being suspended by Umno for three years
after an emergency meeting on Wednesday.
Three days ago, Sin Chew came out strongly to defend Tan, who was
accused by Ahmad for misreporting his comments.

Tan, who holds a mass communications degree from Universiti Sains
Malaysia, has been a journalist for nine years.
She has been with Sin Chew for four years. Before joining Sin Chew,
she was a journalist in Kwong Wah daily.
It is unclear whether Ahmad, who remained defiant despite being
slapped with the suspension, has also been detained.
PAS leader Mujahid Yusuf Rawa, who was also at the police station,
did not mince his words in arguing that Ahmad should be the one
detained underISA and “not the journalist who reported what he had
said”.

.................................................

Raja Petra arrested under ISA

The arrest comes a day after the government lifted blocks on all websites, including Raja Petra’s popular Malaysia Today website.

Three newspapers were also issued show cause letters. They are Suara Keadilan, The Sun and Sin Chew Daily.

Yesterday Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor has announced that government is no longer blocking the access to any websites or blogs in the country. He told reporters here that the decision was reached at the weekly cabinet meeting.

Shaziman said that following the decision, the order to restrict access to websites or blogs, including the “Malaysia Today” news portal, has been withdrawn, effective immediately.

Earlier Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said action under the Internal Security Act (ISA) can be taken against “Malaysia-Today” blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin for his comments on the blog which allegedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

He said if the investigation which was being conducted based on police reports made by four religious agencies found that he committed the offence, Raja Petra would face the action.

Syed Hamid was commenting on the police reports lodged by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim), Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (Maiwp) and Federal Territory Religious Department (Jawi) against Raja Petra.

They complained that in his comment on an article entitled “I Promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim“, Raja Petra allegedly used sentences which insulted Muslims.

He is also alleged to have allowed comments which degraded Islam and Prophet Muhammad for an article entitled “Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophet” to be published in the blog.

“The action taken by the religious agencies is in line with the law because his (Raja Petra) actions to use obscene and bad words for Prophet Muhammad is clearly in contradiction of the law.

“The probe and action should be expedited so that he will realise his mistakes and learn to respect Islam,” Syed Hamid said.

Although Raja Petra claimed that he was not the blog’s owner, Syed Hamid said Raja Petra had to be responsible for the contents published as he had always made himself appear as the sole representative for the blog.

MY EXPRESSION : ISA = A WEAK GOVERNMENT???

Shares for Indians: Gov't agrees to work out mechanism | Malaysiakini

Sep 11, 08 5:05pm

MIC president S Samy Vellu says this is another step to help achieve the target of three percent Indian equity participation by 2020.MORE

	Arrange for partial grants
	Joint ventures with bumi contractors

..............................................................................................................................................................................

The government has agreed to work out a mechanism to enable the Indian community to purchase shares to achieve the target of three percent Indian equity participation by 2020, said MIC president S Samy Vellu.

He said the assurance was given by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to him during their meeting in Putrajaya today.

Describing the meeting as "very successful", Samy Vellu said he requested that the Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) manage a scheme that would allow Indians to own shares without going through the difficult process of getting bank loans.

"I requested the government to arrange for Indians interested in buying shares, a partial grant and the rest of the money could be obtained through easy loans from banks," he said in a statement.

He said Najib, who chairs the cabinet committee on the development of Indians, would discuss the matter with PNB to work out "an amicable and acceptable solution" to MIC's request.

"The Indian community is still very much dependent on the government for assistance, especially in increasing their equity participation," added the MIC president.

Joint ventures

Samy Vellu also said he raised with Najib the possibility of joint ventures between Indian and bumiputera contractors to carry out government infrastructure projects.

He said the issues and concerns faced by Indian contractors was submitted to him by the Malaysian Indian Contractors Association recently. Many of them were finding it difficult to participate in government projects.

"I also proposed that Indian contractors be allowed to bid for selected government projects and the deputy prime minister was receptive to the idea. He said it can be worked out," he said.

The government would work out a formula where more government projects could be given to Indian contractors provided they embark on joint ventures with bumiputera contractors.

He said Najib would resolve the issuing licenses to Indian contractors to carry out projects, especially Class F contracts.

"I am optimistic that all our requests will meet with positive outcome from the government," he said, adding that follow-up would be done at the next meeting of the cabinet committee.

At the first meeting of the cabinet committee last July 1, several decisions were taken to assist the Indian community economically and socially, among them, providing them more opportunities in the Vendor Development Scheme.

Another important decision was to provide micro credit loans to 4,000 new Indian entrepreneurs annually.

Sikh MIC leader Daljit Singh sworn as Senator in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Daljit Singh Dalliwal, president of the Punjabi Business Chamber was today sworn-in as a senator by Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh.

48 year old Daljit Singh holds a a Masters in Business Administration from University of New England, United States and became active in politics when he joined the Malaysian Indian Congress in 1989. He is Telawi MIC branch chairman since 1990 and Federal Territories MIC executive council member since 2005.

"The Sikhs have been waiting for this moment this is an honour for Indians in general and the Sikhs in particular,including my family" said Daljit Singh who is known for his charitable and community work.

10 September 2008

Ahmad suspended for 3 years

MY EXPRESSION link :
MERDEKA = BLOOD + SWEAT OF ALL MALAYSIANS!!!

Source : The star

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has suspended Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail three years over his alleged racist remarks about the Chinese.

The decision was reached at a special meeting of the Umno supreme council held at the PWTC Wednesday afternoon. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi chaired the meeting that lasted almost three hours.

Abdullah told a press conference after the meeting that Ahmad would also be stripped of all party posts.

He also said that the Cabinet at its meeting Wednesday also discussed racial relations in the country.

“The Cabinet feels that racial tension may arise if sensitive issues are raised. The Cabinet has ordered ministries with laws pertaining to this to enforce them.

“If it is necessary, the ISA may be used on those who stoke racial tension,” he added.

Abdullah also told Barisan Nasional component parties to be firm and take disciplinary action on their members, who also made statements that stoked racial sentiments.

The meeting was held after Barisan component parties said they wanted “immediate and stern action” to be taken against Ahmad during a meeting of the coalition’s supreme council on Tuesday afternoon.

However, because it involved a party matter, they left it to Umno to act.

The Prime Minister had said on Tuesday that the issue had caused uneasiness, worry and anger among the people.

“Some (component parties) expressed their disappointment over what transpired while some showed anger.

“All of us are of the view that Ahmad’s comments are not acceptable at all. What he said has caused anger and concern among the people, non-bumiputras and bumiputras alike, not just in the peninsula but also in Sabah and Sarawak,” Abdullah told reporters on Tuesday.

Ahmad stirred a hornet’s nest recently when he said in a speech while campaigning for the Permatang Pauh by-election that the Chinese were immigrants in the country and did not deserve equal treatment.

Despite criticisms from various community leaders, he refused to apologise.

MY EXPRESSION :

MERDEKA = BLOOD + SWEAT OF ALL MALAYSIANS!!!

Greetings,

51 years after merdeka, we are still haunted by strong racial sentiments?

Ref to the unacceptable remarks from Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail, Chinese are pendatang, so they don't deserve equal rights. And this person, defended his statement " i am just quoting it from our history".

History? For god's sake , the history of "malaysia merdeka" scribed with the courage, blood, sweat and tears of Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races. One must be real dumb or retarded to deny that fact!!! ( READ MORE)

MIC Still Relevant

NST, KUALA LUMPUR: MIC's role as the big brother for the Indian community has not been minimised by the emergence of the Hindraf movement.

People seeking help to apply for identity cards or birth certificates, get business and taxi licences, or to solve financial or family problems still crowd the MIC headquarters.

MIC Youth chief T. Mohan said while some Indians might approach Hindraf over temple issues or to protest about some issues, there was no drop in the number of people calling at the MIC for help.

He was asked to comment on a recent report by an online portal that Hindraf had been inundated with appeals for assistance from the Indian community.

"I would say that there has been a significant increase in those seeking our help.

"Previously, as MIC Youth's Social Welfare Development bureau head, I used to receive many people at my office in Puchong on Wednesdays but the number has increased now."

Mohan said a service centre had been set up at the movement's new office. A full-time officer was on hand six days a week to attend to public complaints and two others to liaise with the government to solve problems, he added.

He said MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam were also constantly receiving people seeking help.

Meanwhile, MIC's Yayasan Social Strategic (YSS) family development unit head K.A. Gunah said they saw about 80 people weekly during their open days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Gunah said after the poor showing by the MIC at the March 8 elections, YSS officers thought that people would stop coming to them for help.

"But this did not happen as more people started seeking our help."

Perak Hindraf co-ordinator A. Vathemurthy claimed that Hindraf had captured the imagination of the majority of Malaysian Indians.

He said Hindraf leaders were kept busy taking up cases of Indians in line with the group's struggle to safeguard the constitutional rights of Indians in the country.

"We're constantly highlighting community issues related to land, schools, scholarships, financial assistance and poverty. As we've no funds, we bring the issues to the media in order to solve the problems."

Temples in draft plan will not be demolished

MY EXPRESSION :MIC : WALK FOR THE RAKYAT (2)

ALL Hindu temples on government land situated in commercial zones in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 would not be demolished, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said.

He said if temples situated on government land were affected by development projects undertaken by the Government, they would be given an alternative site for relocation, reported Malaysia Nanban.

He added that prior approval from City Hall was required for new temples to be built, even on private land.

Speaking to reporters on Friday after meeting representatives of the Malaysian Hindu Council over the draft, Saravanan said the ministry would allow the various communities to build their houses of worship in housing estates.

MY EXPRESSION :MIC : WALK FOR THE RAKYAT (2)

‘Raise level of Tamil schools’

HEADMASTERS and teachers have been urged to get ready to raise the standard of education in Tamil schools, reported Makkal Osai.

Malaysian Tamil schools organisor S. Baskaran also reminded them to be prepared to face the challenges ahead, adding that educators should upgrade themselves in the field of computer technology as presently, this was a vital tool in educating the young.

Speaking at the Perak Tamil Schools Headmasters Council meeting in Tanjong Malim on Saturday, he said the Education Minister was now heading a special committee to look into the development of Tamil schools in the country.

He also said that there were 523 Tamil schools in Malaysia including 374, which were partly aided schools.

A ‘changed’ MIC attracts 400 youths in Sepang

PETALING JAYA: The MIC’s rebranding exercise has encouraged more Indians to join the party, with more than 400 youths joining the Sepang division in Selangor, division chief Datuk C. Krishnan said.

He said the division, the first in Selangor to recruit members in large numbers, hoped to attract more new members in the future.

“They (the new members) are confident that the MIC will be able to represent their needs,” he told reporters here yesterday.

MIC vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan and Youth coordinator T. Mohan were also present.

Krishnan said the move by the party headquarters to separate the Youth wing from the MIC branches had generated keen interest from youths to join the party.

He was confident that more Indian women would join the MIC following a proposal by party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to detach the Wanita movement from all MIC branches so that they could function as a separate entity.

The MIC now has more than 630,000 members with 3,700 branches throughout the country. Samy Vellu is also on a mission to regain the trust of the Indian community. Mohan said the wing had already submitted a list to the headquarters to form 287 branches.

“We hope to form about 750 branches by year’s end,” he said,

Saravanan: Don’t use religious issues for political gain

MY EXPRESSION :MIC : WALK FOR THE RAKYAT (2)

DO not use religious issues as a platform for political gain, said Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan to non-governmental organisations (NGO) and Opposition leaders.

“If you want to help sincerely, come and talk to the relevant authorities instead of using the media and the blogs to create hype,” Saravanan said.

He said this in the wake of articles published on the allegations of 120 temples missing from the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

“I challenge these people who make allegations to come up with the list of the missing temples.”

All Hindu temples on government land situated in commercial zones in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 will not be demolished, he said. However, the prior approval of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was required for new temples to be built, even on private land, he said.

“If there are temples on private lands, it is up to the owner whether they want to maintain the temple of tear it down for commercial purposes.”

In the future, custodians of temples affected by development projects would be given alternative land to relocate the houses of worship.

Saravanan said there had been no demolition of temples on government land in the Federal Territory.

He also said that the ministry would allow the various communities to build their houses of worship in housing estates.

“Please don’t use religion as a tool for publicity or political gain,” Saravanan said during the launch of the 51st Merdeka celebrations by the MIC Youth of Batu constituency at Sentul. During the launch he also addressed other issues concerning residents of Sentul.

Saravanan told residents that the land surrounding the area belonged to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) and it (KTMB) has given the land to the YTL company for development purposes.

StarMetro reported the plight of KTMB quarters residents who were asked to evacuate their homes for development purposes by YTL.

“It is up to the owner of the land to give compensation or proper housing to the affected families in the area. The responsibility does not fall back on DBKL to find housing for all of you,” he said.

However, Saravanan has met up with the YTL group to discuss the best possible method to help the residents. “It is our duty as the government to help as much as we can and we are trying our best for you,” he said

MY EXPRESSION :MIC : WALK FOR THE RAKYAT (2)

malaysiakini : PM to Ahmad Ismail: Explain, or face action

MY EXPRESSION :MERDEKA = BLOOD + SWEAT OF ALL MALAYSIANS!!

PUTRAJAYA: Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s fate will be decided Tuesday after a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“He will be asked to explain himself, after which we will decide what action will be taken against him,” Abdullah said.

“I’m very unhappy with what has happened and will take a firm stand on the issue,” he told reporters after meeting ambassadors and foreign dignitaries at Wisma Putra on Monday.

When briefed on a meeting earlier Monday in which Ahmad had asked Gerakan to leave the Barisan Nasional coalition, Abdullah said, “Ahmad should not blame other parties; it’s not for him to ask a component party to leave Barisan.”

Ahmad, already embroiled in a controversy where he is alleged to have described Malaysian-Chinese as “squatters,” has also been involved in a war of words with Gerakan.

Earlier Monday, he said Gerakan should leave the coalition because it has only created chaos among the component parties.

He also said that Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon should be stripped of his post as the state Barisan chairman and the post be given to the MCA.

He said this was because a few Chinese leaders from Gerakan, including Dr Koh, had deliberately taken advantage of the situation and turned it into a racial issue “to hide their own weaknesses.”

Dr Koh should apologise not only to the Malays and the Muslims but also to the Chinese in the country for creating so much tension, he said at a press conference called by leaders and representatives of the 13 Umno divisions in Penang, led by state Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah and secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim.

Ahmad made veiled threats as well, saying that “He (Dr Koh) is a leader who is really good at tai chi but I would also like to remind everyone not to forget that the Malays are equally good at silat,’’ referring to two martial arts disciplines.

He reiterated that he would not apologise for his remark made at a ceramah on Aug 23 and was prepared to face the consequences.

He said what was important now was for all parties to be united so that there would be peace and harmony in the country -- however, at the end of the 40-minute press conference, reporters who were in the meeting room witnessed several supporters bringing down a picture of Dr Koh, which was hanging on a wall, and tearing it to pieces.

When contacted later, Ahmad denied any role in the incident.

MY EXPRESSION :MERDEKA = BLOOD + SWEAT OF ALL MALAYSIANS!!

malaysiakini : PM to Ahmad Ismail: Explain, or face action

MY EXPRESSION :MERDEKA = BLOOD + SWEAT OF ALL MALAYSIANS!!

PUTRAJAYA: Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s fate will be decided Tuesday after a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“He will be asked to explain himself, after which we will decide what action will be taken against him,” Abdullah said.

“I’m very unhappy with what has happened and will take a firm stand on the issue,” he told reporters after meeting ambassadors and foreign dignitaries at Wisma Putra on Monday.

When briefed on a meeting earlier Monday in which Ahmad had asked Gerakan to leave the Barisan Nasional coalition, Abdullah said, “Ahmad should not blame other parties; it’s not for him to ask a component party to leave Barisan.”

Ahmad, already embroiled in a controversy where he is alleged to have described Malaysian-Chinese as “squatters,” has also been involved in a war of words with Gerakan.

Earlier Monday, he said Gerakan should leave the coalition because it has only created chaos among the component parties.

He also said that Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon should be stripped of his post as the state Barisan chairman and the post be given to the MCA.

He said this was because a few Chinese leaders from Gerakan, including Dr Koh, had deliberately taken advantage of the situation and turned it into a racial issue “to hide their own weaknesses.”

Dr Koh should apologise not only to the Malays and the Muslims but also to the Chinese in the country for creating so much tension, he said at a press conference called by leaders and representatives of the 13 Umno divisions in Penang, led by state Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah and secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim.

Ahmad made veiled threats as well, saying that “He (Dr Koh) is a leader who is really good at tai chi but I would also like to remind everyone not to forget that the Malays are equally good at silat,’’ referring to two martial arts disciplines.

He reiterated that he would not apologise for his remark made at a ceramah on Aug 23 and was prepared to face the consequences.

He said what was important now was for all parties to be united so that there would be peace and harmony in the country -- however, at the end of the 40-minute press conference, reporters who were in the meeting room witnessed several supporters bringing down a picture of Dr Koh, which was hanging on a wall, and tearing it to pieces.

When contacted later, Ahmad denied any role in the incident.

MY EXPRESSION :MERDEKA = BLOOD + SWEAT OF ALL MALAYSIANS!!

Teacher counselled on national unity

KUALA LUMPUR: The teacher who allegedly made racist remarks has been transferred to the Selangor Education Department, holding a new position in which she does not deal with students.

She has also undergone a two-week counselling session on the importance of national unity.

As to whether she would be teaching again, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong was non-committal.


"It depends on the assessment of her counsellors. So far, the reports I've received are good."


She is expected to be transferred out of the state Education Department and Selangor altogether, but Wee refused to divulge her next destination.


"I cannot tell you. Morally, I should not tell you. It's a matter of privacy."


The 35-year-old teacher from SM Telok Panglima Garang in Banting, Klang, was previously sent to a smart school nearer to her house after she allegedly told students in a Form Four class that she "wanted to test their patience" and began using derogatory words on them.


The move to the smart school drew criticism as it was regarded as a "reward".


Pressed to explain the move, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said last month that the transfer was because the school needed a replacement Mathematics teacher.

He had said that he would not tolerate racial abuse in schools but did not want the teacher to be falsely accused.


MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, meanwhile, was satisfied with the action taken by the Education Ministry.


However, he hoped that teachers would be trained on the sensitivities of the communities.


National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Loke Yim Pheng said the union had been receiving letters, emails and phone calls from teachers about the incident.


"They told us they were not happy with the way the case was being handled and the action taken against her. Some had even given their views as to how she should have been dealt with."


But Loke declined to elaborate on their views.


"In school, all teachers should know that they should treat all children equally."


Asked if this was the first time such an incident had occurred, Loke said: "We have had certain problems at times but we try to solve them internally or refer them to the ministry. I think this incident has been blown up in the media."


A psychological counsellor with the Education and Research Association for Consumers, Nanthini Ramalo, said she had come across cases where teachers of a particular race looked down on teachers and students of a different race.


Nanthini, who has been counselling teachers over the last three years, said when they sought her advice on how to cope with such situations, she told them to focus on work.


"When they complain about teachers of one race abusing students of another race, I tell them to look at all students as one.


"After all, why should you feel bad when only students of your race are victimised? It should not matter what race the student is. What matters is that a student has been victimised.


"Teachers should think of themselves as teachers first, and not as a Malay, Chinese or Indian. Problems start when they see themselves according to race."